Andrew Patrick Daul was born on August 23, 1985, in Long Beach, California. Andrew was the first child born to Michael and Kathy Daul. Andrew is survived by his sisters Lindsey (Daul) Kelly of Howell and Audrey Daul of Brighton, one niece and ten cousins.

When Andrew was ten years old the family moved from California to Brighton, Michigan. Here Andrew was known for his interest in pursuing anything extreme, from climbing trees as a child to snowboard jumping and street luging as a young man. While Andrew never cared much for the formality of academics, early on he showed signs of being a gifted builder, inventor, technology whiz and athlete. Like many teenagers, he had his share of poor grades, Saturday detentions and speeding tickets. Andrew would grow to be a handsome, 6’1”, 220-pound All American Young Man.

At the beginning of his senior year at Brighton High School, Andrew joined the Army’s delayed entry program. He seemed determined to continue seeking an “extreme” life by joining the military. Andrew graduated high school in June 2003, and was inducted into the Army on July 2nd. He chose Armor as his specialty and reported to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training and advanced individual training as an M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank crewman. After a short leave, he shipped out in December to Ray Barracks, Friedberg, Germany where he was assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. In January 2004, he was deployed to Iraq for his first combat tour and saw action in Baghdad and Karbala, Iraq. During this tour, SPC Daul was guarding a checkpoint when a truck bomb exploded near a civilian car. Seeing the Iraqi car on fire, SPC Daul leapt from the safety of his tank and saved several civilians from the burning wreck.

At the completion of his tour Andrew returned to Germany and was assigned to Headquarters Company and was the tank driver for the Company Commander. Andrew shot “Top Tank” during annual training exercises and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal. During this tour Andrew met and fell in love with Ms. Anja Buhlmann of Usingen, Germany, and loved being part of her family.

Andrew was able to return home on a two-week leave over Christmas 2005, prior to returning to Iraq for his second tour of duty. He was stationed at Camp Hit, Iraq, in support of an infantry unit where he conducted numerous combat support missions.

SPC Daul was on track for promotion to Sergeant in January 2007. But, on December 19, 2005, he would be killed when his tank was hit by an improvised explosive device, while engaged in road clearing operations.

SPC Andrew Daul’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Army Overseas Ribbon.